FOUND - A Tale of 2 Driving Gloves

Both pairs of these leather driving gloves are from Italy. The left hand pair were purchased (full price, 49 euros) at the Sermoneta shop in Rome CLICK HERE. The right hand pair, also from Sermoneta, were found at the Fara charity shop on Bond Street in Ealing. Last year a group of my mates met in Rome to celebrate our friend Kelly's 50th birthday. Well-traveled Kelly introduced us to 'her' Rome. She speaks Italian rather wonderfully, knew the city like the back of her hand and insisted (quite rightly) that we pop into the Sermoneta shop in the shadow of the Spanish Steps. There, we were all 'fitted' for leather gloves. The selection and service in the tiny but charming shop was second-to-none. Thanks to Kelly the brand Sermoneta is now synonymous with glove excellence, so I was thrilled when last week at Fara I happened upon the leather & crocheted gloves with a little Sermoneta tag on the inside. Let friends serve as a primary style resource; pick their brains, find out their faves, especially smaller more obscure but nonetheless quality brands. Thanks Kelly for steering me right! The like-new but 2nd-hand driving gloves were just £4.   

Clarence and Alabama Pop-Up in Hanwell closes 8 Nov. 

Striking 'vintage style' dresses! CLICK HERE   

FOUND - Skirt with a Checkered Future

I found this Cacharel pencil skirt at the Cats Protection charity shop on Pitshanger Lane in Ealing. The French brand Cacharel was founded when John Bousquet in 1958 decided to leave his home in Nimes to go to Paris where, in a tiny studio, he would design his first collection. It was a resounding success and Cacharel was born. Maybe best known now for its wildly popular perfume Anais Anais, the likes of Clement-Ribeiro and Eley Kishimoto have created the ready-to-wear label's quirky but feminine look. This skirt, while relatively new and practically unworn, gives off a distinctively retro vibe. The gingham (stretch) fabric is reminiscent of French style-icon Brigette Bardot. The versatility of the skirt is easily illustrated by the variety of shoes that coordinate nicely with it. A kind of 'wow basic,' this skirt is capable of sending any number of style signals depending on the mood of the wearer. From a contrasting print blouse to pulling it on over all black - the possibilities are endless. No more skirting the issue, it was £5. 

The Northfields Jumble Trail CLICK HERE is 

            this Saturday 10am-3pm. See you there!            

TRY THIS - Give A 2nd-Hand Gift

I found this little stickpin at the debut Antiques Market in West Ealing, just outside the Drayton Court CLICK HERE. I've given him to friends who are getting married tomorrow in up-state New York. They're legalizing their 14-year relationship at a ceremony in the back garden of their home, nestled among enormous trees and a babbling brook. A small but special affair, they're wearing tweeds among the Autumn leaves and in keeping with the theme, a fox motif adorned their wedding invitations. I'm sad to say I can't join them but this little what-not serves as a reminder that I'm thinking of them on their day. This gift is not about the cost, the truth is they can buy nearly anything they like and after years together, well, a toaster is out of the question. I know they'll adore this foxy gent for his animal appeal. He's well-made, stylish and full of character - very much like them. Antiques markets are great places to find stylish mementos to mark special occasions. 

See you at the monthly West Ealing Antiques Market 

tomorrow, 25 October CLICK HERE

FOUND - Paper Roses Bloom in W7

I found this hand-painted box at the Craft Barn in the forecourt of The Fox Pub in Hanwell, CLICK HERE. A little shed in the shadow of a lovely pub, the space is filled with a selection unique items created by area craftspeople. If you're like me, you save tissue paper and boxes re-using it to wrap gifts and such. The creator of this work of art also keeps boxes, but she makes the ordinary quite extraordinary - every surface of the box, inside and out is beautifully embellished by her hand. The Fox Pub is located on the Grand Union Canal, so it's not surprising that roses on the box resemble those that adorn longboats found along the banks of the canal.     

     

While the Craft Barn is open weekends with a selection of items, on the last Saturday of the month all the crafters pitch up with a wider variety of their wares. I'm told the artist who created this box is a talented woman of 70; I'm anxious to meet her on Saturday to express my appreciation for her work. Nothing but the best will be stored inside it; the box is the new home for my most delicate of lingerie. At just £6, everything's coming up paper roses.

       

TRY THIS - Purchase Plaid Pre-Owned

I found this scarf over the weekend at a Vintage Fair hosted by The Fox in Hanwell - a small but perfectly formed sale in the courtyard outside the pub. And it seems I've landed on the 'latest' trend, in West London of all places. The AW14 season sees tartan offered up as if the blueprint for its creation was only yesterday ripped from a drawing board for immediate debut on runways worldwide. The FFI's* claim to the woolen fabric seems so brazen you wouldn't be blamed for wondering aloud, "um, do they think they invented this stuff? Last night?" While mindlessly celebrating the return of John Galliano and conjuring patronizing trends like normcore, how do you find the time FFI*? (Huntress on normcore CLICK HERE). I love tartan, full stop, but the way in which Capital 'F' Fashion jumps in front of a traditional and long-standing style parade makes me see red (and green, with a little white). Who doesn't own a bit of tartan? Okay, maybe you're too young to have loved the Bay City Rollers, and fair enough. However, if you do lack the organized, overlapping woven wonder that is tartan, for goodness sake, buy it second-hand. Vintage fairs and charity shops are stocked full of clothing made from this durable and forever-fashionable fabric. The scarf was £6.   

* Flippin' Fashion Industry 

TRY THIS - She's Still Keeping Me Warm

This is Vivian, my Grandmother. She passed away in her 90s last year. Some years before she died she gave the fur she's wearing to my sister who re-purposed the dated, ageing coat. A lovely satin lined neck warmer is what remains of it for me. I realize fur is controversial, but to my mind binning something that belonged to this beloved lady is far more controversial. I can 'hear her' wearing this fur, along with a pencil skirt and nylons which 'woosh wooshed' when she walked. She introduced me to the delights of high-end handbags, Gucci in particular. When all her children had grown-up and finally moved out, she took a job at Higbees, a fancy department store in Massillon Ohio, where she stood regally behind the gleaming glass handbag counter. On very cold days I wrap this little bit of fur round my neck, pull my vintage Gucci pocketbook close and feel confident neither the elements nor the fashion police can get at me. I am protected by Vivian; my style saint, my memories, my grandma.  

REMINDER: This Saturday is the monthly West Ealing

Antiques Market - CLICK HERE for more information 

FOUND - Making A Case That's On Point

I found this homemade eyeglass case at Oxfam in Ealing. I love needlepoint. An easy-peasy project resulting in a highly effective graphic design, a point not lost on the fashion industry. In 2012 everyone from Dolce & Gabbana to Tory Burch showed needlepoint looks. Ornate dresses and handbags featured the time-honored stitchery. Me, I like the 80s preppy needlepoint belts that tended to feature seaside themes - whales, sailboats, buoys and anchors. I'm also head-over-heels for needlepoint flats from Stubbs & Wootten, CLICK HERE to view their rather charming website. These beauties don't come cheap. I managed to find a less-than-perfect pair on Ebay some years ago for £80. They're a personal favourite, as I oddly prize high-end that's a little down at heel. To see Huntress Post "Damaged Goodness" CLICK HERE. The eyeglass case holds extra appeal, along with my specs because someone sat on their sofa and made it. Like me, they longed to create, to invent, to be useful with their hands. And maybe like me, their skill level is wanting. All the same they stitched up a perfect, useful, lovely, handmade object. A lot of work (and heart I suspect) that cost just 49p.